Traction adjustment band for shoe

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a traction adjustment band for emplacement on a shoe, comprising: an upper band; a sole band; a first attachment interface connecting one end of the upper band to one end of the sole band; and a second attachment interface connecting another end of the upper band to another end of the sole band so as to form a unitary band.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Application is related to Provisional Patent Applicationentitled “Traction Adjustment Band for Shoe” filed 16 Mar. 2010 andassigned Ser. No. 61/314,158, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates broadly to footwear, and more specifically todevices for adjusting the traction of a shoe on a particular supportingsurface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dance moves often involve pivoting on the ball of the foot. When adancer attempts to dance while wearing standard aerobics shoes, she mayfind that certain dance moves are difficult to execute. As aconsequence, the dancer may incur knee injuries because the treads onher aerobic shoes, which are designed to minimize slipping between theshoe and the floor surface, are not suitable for performing the dancemoves. Thus, when the dancer twists her hips, her aerobic shoes mayresist the pivoting motion, her knee may be inadvertently twisted, andan injury may result. There has been a rise in these types of injuriesas dance/aerobics programs gain popularity in mainstream gyms. Often, acasual participant in the dance/aerobic program owns a pair of shoesdesigned for aerobic movements but does not wish to incur the additionalcost of purchasing a second pair of shoes designed for dance movements.

The present invention addresses the above problems by providing to theuser a traction adjustment band for adjusting the aggregate coefficientof friction between the user's shoes and a surface used for physicalmovements and activities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of adapting a shoeconfigured for a first physical activity into a modified shoe suitablefor a second physical activity on a floor comprises: providing atraction adjustment band, the traction adjustment band including anupper band and a sole band; placing the traction adjustment band aroundthe shoe such that the upper band is disposed on an upper portion of theshoe and the sole band is disposed across a sole of the shoe; andadjusting placement of the sole band on the shoe sole so as to producethe modified shoe, the modified shoe thus having a desired coefficientof friction with the floor, the desired coefficient of friction beingsubstantially equivalent to a coefficient of friction with the floorthat is provided by an activity shoe that is configured for the secondphysical activity.

In another aspect of the present invention, a traction adjustment bandsuitable for emplacement on a shoe comprises: an upper band; a soleband; a first attachment interface connecting a first end of the upperband to a first end of the sole band; and a second attachment interfaceconnecting a second end of the upper band to a second end of the soleband so as to form a unitary band assembly configured to enclose theupper and the sole of the shoe.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a traction adjustmentband suitable for emplacement on a shoe comprises: an upper bandincluding a first upper segment, a second upper segment, and ahook-and-loop fastener pair, the hook-and-loop fastener pair removablysecuring the first upper segment to the second upper segment; a soleband; a first attachment interface connecting one end of the upper bandto one end of the sole band; and a second attachment interfaceconnecting another end of the upper band to another end of the sole bandso as to form a unitary band. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a traction adjustment band having an upperband attached to a lower band, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the traction adjustment band of FIG. 1showing typical placement on aerobic shoes;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of different shoe soles, two soles showingdifferent emplacements of the traction adjustment band of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of traction adjustment band of FIG.1, showing a section of woven elastic and a section of plastic embeddedwoven elastic;

FIG. 5 is another alternative embodiment of traction adjustment band ofFIG. 1, showing a loop of elastic partially enclosed in a non-elasticmaterial sleeve;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of alternate embodiments of the tractionadjustment band of FIG. 1 showing upper bands having different widthsfrom sole bands;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of two of the traction adjustment band of FIG.1 adapted for use on a single shoe;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of traction adjustment band of FIG.4, showing a shorter section of woven elastic and a longer section ofplastic embedded woven elastic; and

FIG. 9 shows alternative embodiments of traction adjustment band of FIG.1, showing one embodiment using two loops used in place of a singleupper band and another embodiment using two loops in place of a singlesole band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

The disclosed traction adjustment band may function to selectivelyreduce the traction, or coefficient of friction, between the wearer'sshoe on a particular floor or other support surface. In an exemplaryembodiment, the traction adjustment band may reduce the shoe-to-floortraction so that a wearer of standard walking or running shoes may beable to execute dance moves with a reduced risk of injury to the knees.In an alternative exemplary embodiment, traction adjustment bands mayfunction to selectively increase the traction between a wearer's danceshoes on a surface such that the wearer may be able to perform aerobicand similar exercise movements without slippage. Advantageously, thetraction adjustment band allows the wearer to customize the amount oftraction, or the coefficient of friction, provided between the shoe andthe floor surface. The amount of “grip” obtainable is thus a function ofthe traction adjustment band properties and the surface attributes ofthe particular floor.

The traction adjustment band may be worn comfortably without shiftingduring vigorous physical activity. The traction adjustment band isconfigured to stay in place during an entire dance routine, for example.The traction adjustment band also serves to allow for an increased rangeof motion in the wearer's hips when the wearer is dancing or otherwisemoving in shoes with the band, as compared to when the wearer may bemoving in shoes without the traction adjustment band. As a result, thetraction adjustment band wearer needs to exert less force to as his orher feet twist or slide on the floor. Moreover, as hip movement is lessrestricted because of the reduced aggregate friction between the shoeand the floor, the wearer will find it easier to swing the hips.

In an exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a tractionadjustment band 10, shown in FIG. 1, comprising an upper band 12 securedto a sole band 14 at a first attachment interface 16 and a secondattachment interface 18 to form a unitary band assembly or loop. Theattachment interfaces 14 and 18 may comprise: (i) stitching of the upperband 12 to the sole band 14, (ii) using an adhesive to produce apermanent adhesion of the upper band 12 to the sole band 14, (iii)applying heat to produce a thermal bond between the upper band 12 andthe sole band 14, or (iv) any combination of stitching, adhesive, andthermal bonding.

The total circumference of the traction adjustment band 10, and theindividual lengths of the upper band 12 and the sole band 14, may bevaried according to the particular shoe size for which the tractionadjustment band 10 is fabricated. The width of the upper band 12 and thewidth of the sole band 14 may range from about 0.25 inches to aboutthree inches. It should be understood that the width of the upper band12 need not be the same as the width of the sole band 14, as describedin greater detail below.

The traction adjustment band 10 is configured to be worn transverselyaround the outside of a shoe 20, with the sole band 14 positioned underthe arch or ball of the wearer's foot on the sole 22 of the shoe 20, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the sole band 14passing under the shoe may comprise a woven elastic material, whereasthe upper band 12 may comprise a less elastic material or a non-elasticmaterial. By so emplacing the woven elastic material over a portion ofthe shoe sole 22, this may serve to reduce the aggregate coefficient offriction of the shoe sole 22 with a smooth surface, such as a tile flooror a wooden floor. This reduced coefficient of friction is thus lessthan the typical coefficient of friction between a rubber shoe sole (notshown) and the same floor surface, and provides the sought-for benefitto the wearer, as explained above.

For certain styles of shoe soles, such as an aerobic shoe 30 shown inFIG. 3, the sole band 14 may have the property of being sufficientflexible or elastic so as to partially extend into one or more grooves34 found between treads 36 on the edges of and in the bottom surface ofa shoe sole 32, as best seen in FIG. 3. Under such conditions, thisflexing of the sole band 14 may advantageously serve to assist inholding the traction adjustment band 10 in place, even during vigorousphysical activity by the wearer.

This holding feature of the traction adjustment band 10 allows forselective placement of the traction adjustment band 10 on the shoe sole32. See, for example, the position of the traction adjustment band 10near the ball of the wearer's foot to cover more of the weight-bearingregion of the shoe sole 32 to provide “less grip” (indicated in thecenter shoe 30). Note also the position of the traction adjustment band10 near the arch of the wearer's foot to expose more of theweight-bearing shoe sole 32 to provide “more grip” (indicated in theshoe 30 on the right).

It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the user or wearercan use two or more traction adjustment bands 40 or 42 of relativelythin widths, such as ¼-inch to ½-inch wide, in place of a singletraction adjustment band of a larger width, such as one inch wide, asshown in FIG. 4. The larger the number of relatively thin tractionadjustment bands 40, the less the treads of the shoe would touch thefloor, and the less traction the wearer would feel as the effectivecoefficient of friction between the shoe and the floor is therebydecreased. The wearer could adjust the number of thin tractionadjustment bands 40 on the shoe to obtain the desired reduction intraction. In this way, the wearer could selectively modify the tractionby the placement of the bands 40 and 42, and the width or area of thematerial under the sole.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper band 12 maycomprise a fabric consisting of a non-elastic material suitable formaintaining tension in the traction adjustment band 10, such asgrosgrain ribbon. This provides the wearer with an attractive band ofcolor on the upper portion of the shoe 20. A grosgrain ribbon, orsimilar material, may also provide a surface that can be used formarketing, with a screen printed or embroidered message, advertisement,logo, or promotional material printed on the outer surface of thegrosgrain ribbon. A non-elastic material may be used for the upper bandso that the markings can be screen printed or embroidered. With anon-elastic upper band, there is no need to heat treat the screen printink, and no concern for stretching of the logo.

In another exemplary embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener pair 44, shownon the modified traction adjustment band 42 in FIG. 4, the comprising atwo-piece upper band 46 and a single-piece sole band 48. Thehook-and-loop fastener pair 44 may comprise commercially-availableVelcro® to provide circumferential adjustment at the upper band 46 toaccommodate the different size footwear that an individual user mighthave for physical activity. Such adjustment can insure that themore-elastic sole band 48 is secure, yet comfortable to the wearer. Witha hook-and-loop material, the wearer can change the diameter orcircumference of the traction adjustment band 42, to tighten or toloosen the traction adjustment band 42 about the shoe of the user.

Depending on the shoe that the traction adjustment band 42 is placedover, for example, tennis shoes or dance shoes, the wearer may need totighten the hook-and-loop fastener pair 44 on the upper band 46, toprovide adequate tension in the traction adjustment band 42 so as toensure that the sole band 48 stays in place. This can be accomplishedbecause a first upper segment 45 is removably fastened to a second uppersegment 47 with the hook-and-loop fastener pair 44. In mostapplications, such tension adjustment may be provided automatically bythe elasticity of the sole band. But, for more substantial changes indiameter, the hook-and-loop fastener pair 44 can be used to accomplishthis purpose. Likewise, a similar hook-and-loop pair (not shown) may beused at the first attachment interface 16 to secure the upper band 12 tothe lower band 14, in FIG. 1, as is known in the relevant art.

In still another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, a woven elasticmaterial may be used to form the sole band 52 of a traction adjustmentband 50. The sole band 52 may be attached to a woven lacy elasticmaterial that forms an upper band 54 that extends across the top of ashoe (not shown). The sole band 52 may comprise an approximatelytwo-inch length of plastic-embedded woven elastic or elastic material.That is, the sole band 52 is of a sufficient length to extend acrossmost or all of the sole of a shoe, and be positioned under or near theball of the foot of the wearer. The weave configuration provides forsome degree of elasticity, and the infusion of plastic into the materialserves to extend the wearable lifetime of the sole band 52.Advantageously, washable materials can be used in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein, such that the traction adjustment band can be easilycleaned.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, a tractionadjustment band 60 comprises a sole band 62 passing under a shoe thatmay be attached to a ventilation mesh that extends over the top of theshoe (not shown) to form an upper band 64. It should be understood thatthe lengths of the sole band 62 and the upper band 64 may be varied asdesired by the designer of the traction adjustment band 60.

In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, a traction adjustmentband 70 may comprise a continuous elastic band 72 of sufficient lengthto completely encircle the shoe, where the elastic band 72 may beencased in a non-elastic material sleeve 74 that would provide themarketing surface, as described above. The non-elastic material sleeve74 may extend for only a portion of the length of the continuous elasticband 72, as shown, or alternatively, may extend for the entire length ofthe continuous elastic band 72.

In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, a traction adjustmentband may comprise a relatively narrow upper band 82 connected to a widersole band 84. Alternatively, the traction adjustment band may comprise arelatively wider upper band 86 connected to a more narrow sole band 88.It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that either the soleband 84, or the upper band 86 may alternatively comprise a shape havingtapered ends in place of the rectangular shape, as shown.

In still other exemplary embodiments, shown in FIG. 9, a tractionadjustment band may comprise a pair of relatively narrow upper bands 92connected to a single, wider sole band 94, or may comprise a single,relatively wider upper band 96 connected to a pair of narrow sole bands98.

Many of the specific details of certain embodiments of the invention areset forth in the above description and related drawings to provide athorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art willunderstand, however, that the present invention may be practiced withoutseveral of the details described in the above description. Moreover, inthe description, it is understood that the figures related to thevarious embodiments are not to be interpreted as conveying any specificor relative physical dimension.

1. A method of adapting a shoe configured for a first physical activity into a modified shoe suitable for a second physical activity on a floor, the method comprising the steps of: providing a traction adjustment band, said traction adjustment band including an upper band and a sole band; placing the traction adjustment band around the shoe such that said upper band is disposed on an upper portion of the shoe and said sole band is disposed across a sole of the shoe; and adjusting placement of said sole band on said shoe sole so as to produce the modified shoe, the modified shoe thus having a desired coefficient of friction with the floor, the desired coefficient of friction being substantially equivalent to a coefficient of friction with the floor that is provided by an activity shoe that is configured for the second physical activity.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired coefficient of friction for said modified shoe is less than a coefficient of friction of the unmodified shoe with the floor.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired coefficient of friction for the modified shoe is increased by repositioning said traction adjustment band along said sole of said sole of the shoe, from under the ball of the foot of a user toward the arch of the foot of the user.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said sole band covers a predetermined area of said sole of the shoe, said predetermined area having a width of from approximately 0.25 inch to approximately three inches.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the elasticity of said upper band is less than the elasticity of said sole band.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said upper band comprises a hook-and-loop fastener pair.
 7. A traction adjustment band suitable for emplacement on a shoe, the traction adjustment band comprising: an upper band; a sole band; a first attachment interface connecting a first end of said upper band to a first end of said sole band; and a second attachment interface connecting a second end of said upper band to a second end of said sole band so as to form a unitary band assembly configured to enclose the upper and the sole of the shoe.
 8. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein said upper band comprises a substantially non-elastic fabric material.
 9. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein said upper band comprises a grosgrain ribbon.
 10. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein an outer surface of said upper band comprises a printing of at least one of a message, an advertisement, a logo, and a promotional material.
 11. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein said lower band comprises a substantially elastic fabric material.
 12. The traction adjustment band of claim 11 wherein said substantially elastic fabric material comprises a plastic-embedded woven material.
 13. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 further comprising a second sole band attached to said first end of said upper band and to said second end of said upper band.
 14. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 further comprising a second upper band attached to said first end of said sole band and to said second end of said sole band.
 15. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein the width of said lower band is approximately 0.25 inch to approximately three inches.
 16. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein said upper band comprises a first upper segment and a second upper segment, said first upper segment removably secured to said second upper segment by a hook-and-loop fastener pair.
 17. The traction adjustment band of claim 7 wherein said first attachment interface comprises at least one of stitching, adhesion, and thermal bonding.
 18. A traction adjustment band suitable for emplacement on a shoe, the traction adjustment band comprising: an upper band including a first upper segment, a second upper segment, and a hook-and-loop fastener pair, said hook-and-loop fastener pair removably securing said first upper segment to said second upper segment; a sole band; a first attachment interface connecting one end of said upper band to one end of said sole band; and a second attachment interface connecting another end of said upper band to another end of said sole band so as to form a unitary band.
 19. The traction adjustment band of claim 18 wherein the width of said upper band is different from the width of said sole band.
 20. The traction adjustment band of claim 18 wherein said sole band comprises a woven material having plastic embedded therein to provide the shoe with a lower coefficient of friction with a support surface. 